Northwestern receieves $5.5M gift to study global climate

Jeff Ubben and his wife, Laurie, have made a $5.5 million gift to the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University. He’s an alum and a trustee.

The gift will establish the Ubben Program for Climate and Carbon Science. The goal is to improve understanding of global climate system dynamics and evaluate low- and zero-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels.

It’s the Ubbens’ latest gift to the school and increases their total support to Northwestern to $21.6 million.

Jeff is CEO and founder of ValueAct Capital, a San Francisco-based private money management firm. Laurie is a co-founder of the Bird School of Music and producer of the film “Loving Vincent.”

Jeff’s parents are Timothy and Sharon Ubben, who recently donated $10 million to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Shia Kapos writes about people in power and position.
She's been published in People magazine, New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and Crain's Business, where she became a popular scoops and society columnist.
"Taking Names" offers up-to-the-minute news on deal-makers and Chicago's who's who.
Email confidential tips and ideas to shiakapos@gmail.com.